The Village of Keremeos is holding a special meeting on February 18 to discuss the 2025 budget. This meeting comes before the regular council session and will start at 3 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers.
In December, the draft budget was shared with the council. They approved a new part-time position in administration but turned down a similar request from the public works department. The upcoming meeting will review the latest updates to the budget.
This year, residents can expect a 3.9% tax increase, bringing the total budget to $1.11 million. In comparison, the budget for 2024 stood at $1.08 million. This increase reflects a broader financial trend, as it’s about 8% higher than the actual tax revenue collected last year.
Aside from property taxes, the village also relies on user fees for services like garbage and sewer. Both of these fees are projected to rise in 2025. The garbage fees will increase due to a new contract with Waste Connections Canada, which the village shares with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Overall, user fees will jump to $176,300, up from $101,250 in 2024. For residents, this means an adjustment from $130 to $224 for the year, or roughly $11 to $19 each month.
Sewer fees will see an even larger increase. Initially proposed at 5%, they will instead rise by 10%, bringing the total for single-family homes to $275. This hike addresses a previous $75,000 transfer from general taxation, marking the first rate increase since 2014, with more planned until 2029 to ensure rates are sustainable.
It was also noted that cemetery fees will need to be revised, as the current operations are facing a deficit of $10,000.
The new part-time position in administration will help the accounting clerk and ease the load on the community and corporate services coordinator.
The capital projects budget will also be shared with the public during the meeting. This budget is separate from the operational budget and tax increases. A total of $2.18 million is allocated for general projects, primarily funded by grants. The village will contribute $516,000. Upcoming projects include the second phase of the community garden, a food security study, road repairs, and tree management.
In the sewer capital budget, projects from 2024, like the rebuilding of lift station four and new backup generator systems for the wastewater treatment plant, are included. The sewer projects are budgeted at $429,000 and will also be funded by the village.
Finally, there are plans to seek grant opportunities for both the sewer and general budget projects. Completing all the projects might leave the community works reserve fund with a balance of $523,000 by the end of the year.
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